Senate report urges major changes to youth justice system
05 Oct 2026
The Senate inquiry into Australia’s Youth Justice and Incarceration System has released its final report, saying there is strong evidence that the current system needs reform. The system costs Australia more than $1.1 billion each year.
The report states that the current approach can harm children, separate families, fail to reduce youth offending and affect community safety.
The RACGP has called for a health-first approach, including better support for young people with neurodevelopmental conditions, stronger cultural connections and raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
The report recommends:
- The Attorney-General work with state and territory governments to establish national minimum standards for youth justice.
- A National Child and Community Safety Taskforce be created to coordinate national reform.
- The Australian Government develop an education campaign about children and young people who come into contact with the law.
- A further inquiry examine the factors contributing to youth incarceration.
Dr Kirsty Jennings, Deputy Chair of RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, said a health-first approach should be supported by practical and funded services before children reach crisis point.
She said many young people entering the justice system have health and developmental needs that have been present for a long time but have not received early support.
These may include trauma, hearing loss, ADHD, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, acquired brain injury, mental health concerns, substance use, family violence, housing instability, school exclusion and child protection involvement.
Dr Jennings said GPs can play an important role because general practice is often one of the first places where concerns about a child become clear.
She said GPs may identify issues such as poor sleep, school absence, behavioural difficulties, substance use, family violence, trauma, hearing loss, developmental concerns or mental health distress.
She also highlighted the challenges faced by parents and carers when trying to access services that can be difficult, fragmented or slow.
Dr Jennings said a health-first model would require better access to child development services, hearing care, mental health support, disability assessments, ADHD and FASD services, alcohol and drug support, family services, housing, education and culturally based social and emotional wellbeing care.
The report also highlighted the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in detention.
Dr Jennings said health-first responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children should include Aboriginal-led solutions, with culture, kinship, Country, family and community recognised as important protective factors.
She also said Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and GPs working with them have an important role in providing culturally safe and connected care.
The RACGP supports raising the age of criminal responsibility to 14. Dr Jennings said this could help prevent very young children from entering the criminal justice system and allow greater focus on healthcare, disability support, family support, education, cultural connection and therapeutic intervention.
Senate report urges major changes to youth justice system
Source: Australian Parliament; RACGP newsGP